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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be fed up of people telling me how dangerous......

300 replies

starshaker · 02/12/2017 17:40

riding a motorbike is. I am aware of the dangers and risks. I came off a few weeks ago during a lesson and i was ok because of the gear I wear. Since then all people tell me is how dangerous it is and how selfish I am when I have kids.

If finally found something I love to do and I bought a little 125 to gain experience and confidence before I go to try for my full license again.

I wrote my first car off and was told not to give up and the best thing I could do was get straight back out before the fear took hold. I hurt myself more in the car than I did on the bike

OP posts:
Original poster
starshaker · 02/12/2017 19:06

I ride like everybody is trying to kill me. I make sure im super aware at junctions and anywhere a car isn't likely to see me.

OP posts:
TiklyBooYack · 02/12/2017 19:13

Maybe car drivers should be more aware.
Yes, of course they should, but the fact is they're not.

Is crossing a road being selfish, driving a car or anything else that has risks.
You're trying to make a point I know, but badly.

When I am driving I make sure I keep a look out for all road users whether its pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists or tractors.
Good for you, genuinely. However a lot don't.

I've had bikes all my life and been around them (siblings, father, grandfathers) since a child. I can ride any CC and have done all the extra courses.
Since having kids the risk is just too big.

It is risky, that's a fact.

TiklyBooYack · 02/12/2017 19:15

And this isn't a joke, make sure your life insurance is good, up to date and watertight.

Ermm · 02/12/2017 19:15

But you’re trying to argue against the fact that is a risky activity. It IS SIGNIFICANTLY riskier than crossing the road or driving a car. That’s an irrefutable fact.

Do you really think you are able to significantly reduce this risk by keeping a look out?

So - at the moment you’re simply denying the risk. I suspect because you understand that the risk/benefit is difficult to justify to yourself in terms of weighing up the unavoidable risks (which are significantly higher than driving a car) against the potential significant damage to your children.

You may indeed still make the call that you are happy to take that risk. Ulimtately that is your business. But at the moment you’re not making that call - you’re trying to minimise the danger of it.

dangermouse7 · 02/12/2017 19:18

Well riding a bike IS more dangerous and you are a lot more vulnerable.

Also, although I know not all motorcyclists are the same, I am pissed off with motorcyclists cutting in and weaving in and out of the traffic and over-taking (on the outside AND the inside,) to get to the front, just because they can. And no END of them over-take at speed, on bends in the road sometimes!

Some of them piss me right off, so I struggle to have sympathy if something happens to a motorcyclist... OR a cyclist, as some of them are total pillocks as well. Riding 3 and 4 wide, refusing to budge over so cars can overtake, cussing and waving their fists if you come closer than 4 feet away from them, and overtaking and undertaking and budging to the front of the traffic, just because they can.

Both motorcyclists AND cyclists are as dangerous as ANY car driver, if not worse!

ElphabaTheGreen · 02/12/2017 19:18

I work in brain and spinal injuries. We have far, far more motorcyclists through than car drivers.

I've been conditioning my DCs since birth to not go near the things. The injuries sustained are utterly horrific. Instant death is preferable.

Original poster
starshaker · 02/12/2017 19:20

I dont have life insurance.

Im not trying to say its not risky, im aware that it is and I do what I can to minimise them. What I am saying is why do people feel the need to constantly tell me.

OP posts:
TiklyBooYack · 02/12/2017 19:22

I dont have life insurance.
Well that is very stupid.
You have kids, are riding a bike. Get some.

People tell you because they care.

Ermm · 02/12/2017 19:23

Because from what you’ve written on this thread it sounds like you’re in denial about it.

And it really is an irresponsible thing to do when you’re a parent.

No life insurance? I mean seriously. You’re an idiot. And people see an idiot in front of them risking the future of small children and feel compelled to speak. It’s one of those human nature things.

deepestdarkestperu · 02/12/2017 19:23

At the very least get life insurance in case the worst happens.

Yes, drivers should be more careful but if you get into a crash, you're far more likely to get life-changing injuries or die than a driver is. Thinking they should be more careful won't save your life.

dangermouse7 · 02/12/2017 19:24

No life insurance. Missed that bit.

Daft.

MissMustBeAMug · 02/12/2017 19:26

I dont have life insurance

Maybe they feel the need to tell you because you are making incredible stupid decisions.

Like riding a motorbike (not necessarily stupid on its own but extremely risky) when you have young dc and no bloody life insurance!

NoToast · 02/12/2017 19:29

Wingless I know nothing about bikes but I know that's a beauty! Wow.

YY to life insurance and will, but everyone should have those and other people take risks all the time, smoking, drinking, horse riding, car driving. It's a long list.

Original poster
starshaker · 02/12/2017 19:29

Dangermouse you do know filtering is legal and encouraged? I dont do it because I dont feel confident enough.

Ive come of a horse too and really hurt myself. Riding a bike gives me the same feeling but I have more control since a bike doesn't have a mind of its own.

Yes you get some bikers who are idiots but you get idiot car drivers too. In the past month there have been 6 really bad car accidents because the drivers we being idiots. Not only did they kill themselves but they took out other cars too. There has been a lot of people killed by idiot drivers

OP posts:
MissMustBeAMug · 02/12/2017 19:31

You really have no right to be calling anyone else an idiot...

Original poster
starshaker · 02/12/2017 19:31

Im unsure what life insurance would even do for me or my family. Genuinely i dont. Dont have a will either because I cant see a need for one.

OP posts:
Ermm · 02/12/2017 19:32

Again OP - you are THIRTY FIVE per cent more likely to have a fatal crash if you drive a motor bike and no doubt a huge amount statically more like to get god awful life changing but not fatal injuries. Obviously there are still car accidents - just significantly less. How can you not get this?

Ttbb · 02/12/2017 19:32

But it is extremely dangerous, to the poain't where it would be safe to assume that you don't know quite how dangerous it is if you are doing it.

Original poster
starshaker · 02/12/2017 19:33

miss must tell me why im an idiot? Because I ride a bike? Id say I have a right to call a 19 year old driving 110 mph and overtaking on blind bends an idiot

OP posts:
MissMustBeAMug · 02/12/2017 19:33

Oh I see, you don’t need life insurance?

Fair enough if you are already filthy rich and you dc won’t need for anything in the very likely event of your death/serious injury.

MissMustBeAMug · 02/12/2017 19:35

I explained why you were an idiot. In fact I even said in my post that it wasn’t purely because you ride a bike.

Ermm · 02/12/2017 19:35

Is this genuine? You don’t know how life insurance could benefit your family? Um, it would give them money if you died.

I am not even remotely surprised that people keep on trying to query whether you understand the risk? It’s quite possibly just checking if you are actually able to understand the concept.

TiklyBooYack · 02/12/2017 19:36

Im unsure what life insurance would even do for me or my family. Genuinely i dont. Dont have a will either because I cant see a need for one.

Fucking hell, are you that stupid, really?

BoggisBunceBean · 02/12/2017 19:37

It is though.

I worked in a hospital and saw the after effects of motorcycle accidents

deepestdarkestperu · 02/12/2017 19:37

You're an idiot because you ride a bike without life insurance.

It could pay off your families mortgage if you die and secure a future for your children who are having to grow up without a parent.